The Kitwe High Court has discharged a bench warrant issued against UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.

This means Mr Hichilema will not be arrested for the charge of contempt of court.

The judge decided that Hichilema had good reason for missing the court session and accordingly discharged the warrant of arrest.

But the main charge of contempt of court will continue and has been adjourned to October 7, 2014.

Mr Hichilema’s lawyers argued that the lawyers for acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda cannot be the same ones to swear the affidavit in the case where Hichilema is charged with contempt of court.

Hichilema is facing charges of contempt of court for allegedly commenting on an on-going court case where the Law Association of Zambia contends that Justice Lombe Chibesakunda is acting as chief justice illegally.

Meanwhile, Kitwe came to a standstill this morning as residents turned up to catch a glimpse of the UPND leader as he went to court.

Scores of Kitwe residents and youths popularly followed Hichilema to the Kitwe High Court while singing solidarity songs and raising the UPND symbol.